DE102013208575A1 - Bicycle with a device to improve the round footstep - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle comprising a crank mechanism (3) which has a first crank (7) with a first pedal (9) and a second crank (8) with a second pedal (10), at least one force sensor (11). for determining a pedaling force of a rider of the bicycle, at least one crank sensor (13) for determining a position of the cranks, an output device (15) for outputting information to the driver and a control unit (20) connected to the force sensor (11) Cranksensor (13) and the output device (15) is connected, wherein the control unit (20) is arranged, by means of the output device (15), based on the detected values of the force sensor (11) and the crank sensor (13), an aid to improve a pedaling of the driver spend to approach an optimal round kick.

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a bicycle, in particular an electric bicycle, with a device for improving the round footstep.

When cycling is the so-called round tread a pedaling understood, in which an optimal power transmission of the forces applied by a driver is present on a crank mechanism. Basically, a pedal movement when cycling on a circular path. The attached to cranks pedals can be arranged at an angle between 0 ° and 360 °. The feet located on the pedals transmit forces of a cyclist on the crank mechanism. Here are basically two forces, namely a tangential force perpendicular to the crank and a radial force generated. In this case, only the tangential force component is effective for propulsion and the radial force component leads to a power loss in the crank or in the crank bearing. The round kick would be a pedaling technique where the rider could apply only tangential forces to the crank. For this purpose, the driver, starting from the top dead center of the crank, depress the pedals and raise the pedal again after exceeding the 180 ° angle. Thus, the forces applied by the driver on the pedals can more effectively provide propulsion the closer the driver approaches the optimal force input in each crank position in a tangential manner. In practice, however, shows that the round kick is 100% unreachable. However, it would be desirable if a rider could improve his treadmill technique to generate more propulsive power from the available power reserves.

Disclosure of the invention

The bicycle according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that a driver receives assistance, as he can approach a round kick. This is inventively achieved in that the bicycle has a crank mechanism with two cranks and two pedals, at least one force sensor for determining a pedaling force of the driver and at least one crank sensor for determining a crank position of the crank. Furthermore, an output device is provided for outputting information, in particular an optical display device, as well as a control unit. The control unit is connected to the force sensor, the crank sensor and the output device. In this case, the control unit is set up based on the detected values of the force sensor and the crank sensor to provide assistance to the driver to improve a pedaling process. The assistance is intended to improve the rider's pedaling technique in such a way that the pedaling technique approaches the round kick as close as possible. According to the invention, the assistance can be made possible on all bike rides.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

Preferably, the force sensor is arranged on the pedal of the crank mechanism and more preferably the bicycle comprises a first force sensor on the first pedal and a second force sensor on the second pedal.

More preferably, the crank sensor is disposed on a crank of the crank mechanism, and more preferably, the bicycle includes a first crank sensor on the first crank and a second crank sensor on the second crank.

Due to the redundancy of the sensors, in particular a particularly secure and accurate detection of force input and crank position can be detected.

Particularly preferably, the bicycle comprises an electric motor as an additional drive, wherein the electric motor is also connected to the control unit and is adapted to exert an additional torque on the crank mechanism. The control device controls the electric motor in such a way that the electric motor emits an additional torque to the crank mechanism during a pedaling operation by the driver in order to achieve a round kick or to approach a round kick. Particularly preferably, the control unit compares a current deviation from the round kick with predetermined, stored values and when the predetermined value is exceeded, the control unit controls the electric motor to deliver the additional torque to approach the round kick. In a further preferred embodiment, the control unit at the output device indicates to the driver to what extent the electric motor outputs an additional torque and / or how the driver should change his pedaling behavior in order to approach the round tread.

Particularly preferably, the electric motor is arranged on the crank mechanism.

More preferably, the bicycle further includes an inclination sensor for detecting a side inclination of the bicycle. The inclination sensor is connected to the control unit and the control unit preferably outputs a warning when a predetermined lateral inclination is exceeded. The warning, for example, acoustically and / or optically done. If the bicycle has an electric motor as an additional drive, more preferably, the control device can be set up to change a position of the crank in the event of risk of being touched down by means of the electric drive. This can be prevented in the presence of a lateral inclination placing the pedal on the ground.

More preferably, a position of the cranks is displayed on a display unit. As a result, the driver always has the crank position immediately in view. More preferably, a home position, e.g. a horizontal positioning of the cranks, given and the electric drive always puts the cranks in the normal position when the driver is not pedaling. Alternatively, instead of the engine intervention, the basic position and the current position of the cranks can be displayed on the display unit, and thus suggestions are made to the driver as to which basic position is optimal for the current driving situation. As a result, values of the inclination sensor can preferably also be added in order to avoid putting on the pedals when cornering.

Further, the present invention relates to a method for improving a riding technique of a rider of a bicycle comprising the steps of determining a pedaling force of the rider on at least one pedal, determining a crank position of a first and / or second crank of a crank mechanism, and outputting assistance for dosing the Treading power to approximate the rider's pedaling technique to a round kick. The assistance can be output acoustically and / or optically on a display device, for example. For example, an arrow or the like with an identification of a current pedal position can be output on the display device in order to make it clear to the driver at which position of the 360 ° -retransport he should change his position. The direction of the arrow indicates the direction in which the driver should deliver the pedaling force to the pedal.

The method according to the invention is particularly preferably supported by an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is connected to the crank mechanism and additionally applies a torque to the crank mechanism based on the values of the pedaling force and the crank position detected by the control unit in order to communicate with the round kick as close as possible to the pedaling power of the driver. More preferably, the inventive method additionally detects a lateral inclination of the bicycle and gives a warning when a predetermined side tilt is exceeded and / or gives to the electric motor an order to change a position of the cranks, so that despite side tilting no placement of the pedals done on the floor.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention is particularly suitable in connection with electric bicycles. According to the invention, a driver can be given assistance in all driving situations, as he approaches the round tread as close as possible.

In the assistance, it is also particularly preferred to distinguish between the first and second pedal, since frequently a treading force and force introduction direction of a left leg is different from a treading force, and force introduction direction of a right leg.

drawing

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing is:

1 a schematic view of an electric bicycle according to an embodiment of the invention,

2 a schematic representation of a crank mechanism including the control unit of the electric bicycle of 1 .

3 an explanatory illustration of the round step and a display on an output device,

4 a schematic representation of an output at an output device, and

5 an explanatory illustration of a pedal assist by means of an electric motor.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

The following is with reference to the 1 to 5 an electric bicycle 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention described in detail.

The electric bicycle 1 includes an electric motor 2 , which in this embodiment on a crank mechanism 3 is arranged. This is an electric bicycle with a so-called "center engine". The crank mechanism 3 has a chainring 4 on which is a chain 5 with a rear sprocket 6 connected is.

The crank mechanism 3 includes a first crank 7 at which a first pedal 9 is arranged, and a second crank 8th , on which a second pedal 10 is arranged. As in particular from 2 It can be seen that this is the first pedal 9 a first force sensor 11 and at the second pedal 10 a second force sensor 12 intended. Furthermore, the crank mechanism comprises 3 a first crank sensor 13 and a second crank sensor 14 which are arranged in this embodiment between the chainring and a frame of the electric bicycle and are offset by 180 ° on the circumference. It should be noted that it is also possible to detect the crank positions with only one crank sensor.

The electric bicycle 1 further includes a battery 30 and a control unit 20 , The control unit 20 is there with the two force sensors 11 . 12 and the two crank sensors 13 . 14 and an output device 15 connected. Further, the control unit 20 with the electric motor 2 and the battery 30 connected. The output device 15 is for example arranged on the handlebars.

The control unit 20 is set up to, based on the detected values of the force sensors 11 . 12 and the crank sensors 13 . 14 To draw conclusions on a pedaling technique of the driver. Here, the control unit compares 20 the force acting on the pedals and the cranks with an optimal, tangential introduction of force on the crank mechanism, referred to as a "round kick" 3 , In this case, the optimum round tread force introduction would be such that at each position of the crank along the 360 ° rotation of the chainring at each point a tangential force introduction would act. In 3 is shown for different positions of the crank mechanism each tangential force F1. The arrow R indicates a direction of rotation. In 3 is also shown at a pedal position of about 120 °, starting from a vertical, in addition to the tangential force F1 and a radial force F2. Furthermore, the treading force F actually introduced by the driver is indicated by the dashed arrow, whereby the deviation of the actually existing treading force F from the optimal, tangential force F1 is illustrated.

How so out 3 As can be seen, there is often a clear discrepancy between the optimal tangential force F1 and the pedaling force F actually applied by the driver. This is done by the control unit 20 recognized and correspondingly, as in 4 shown, a display on the output device 15 output. Here is schematically the crank mechanism 3 represented as well as an arrow S, which illustrates the shown at the crank position of about 120 ° Trittrichtung into which the pedaling force is to be introduced by the driver in this crank position. Alternatively or additionally, the applied force vector and / or the change of the force vector due to the engine engagement can also be represented.

In addition to the possibility of indicating assistance to the driver to achieve an optimal round footstep, it is in the preferred electric bicycle shown in the figures 1 also possible that extra support by the electric motor 2 he follows. Here is the control unit 20 set up such that the electric motor 2 can be controlled so that a support is introduced so that a pedaling force on the crank drive approaches the optimal round kick as possible.

As in 5 shown controls the control unit 20 the electric motor 2 in such a way that after detecting a deviation of the actual pedaling force F of the tangential force F1 of the electric motor 2 is operated so that an additional tangential force F3 is exerted on the crank mechanism. This shifts the force on the pedal on the arrow F *, as shown 5 is apparent. Here, the sum of the pedaling force F applied by the driver and the force F3 contributed by the electric motor approximates the tangential force F1, which is represented by the smaller angle α between the tangential force F1 and the resultant force F * in comparison with the angle β between the tangential force F1 and the actual treading force F applied by the driver.

It is also possible that, instead of the assisting engine intervention, the engine also acts as a brake to approach the optimum tread. Here, e.g. a driver also selects the type of training method, i.e., rewarding (supportive) or punitive (braking).

Furthermore, the electric bicycle 1 another tilt sensor 16 on, which detects a lateral inclination of the bicycle. Based on the detected lateral inclination, the control unit 20 then at the output device 15 give a warning that a dangerous side inclination has been reached and the driver should drive the bike upright. Optionally, the control unit 20 also the electric motor 2 operate such that a position of the cranks 7 . 8th is changed, so as to avoid that due to the lateral inclination of the bicycle, a ground contact of a pedal occurs.

According to the invention can thus by a force measurement applied by the driver treading force and a position of the cranks 7 . 8th Conclusions on a pedaling technique of the driver are taken. On the basis of the detected treading technique a deviation is determined to an optimal round tread and the driver at the output device 15 an optical assistance given. Optionally, an acoustic assistance could be given, for example by a warning sound when a deviation between an actual pedaling force F and a tangential force F1 at this position of the crank is too large or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The various sensors on the electric bicycle 1 can thereby by the existing battery 30 be supplied or alternatively, separate batteries for the individual sensors, for example, in the pedals integrated batteries, are provided. The crank sensors 13 . 14 , are preferably Hall sensors. The output device 15 may be a fixed output device or alternatively, for example, a smartphone or the like. Since tilt sensors are often already installed in smartphones, when using a smartphone as output device, the inclination sensors present in the smartphone can also be used to detect a tilt of the bicycle.

Claims (10)

Bicycle, comprising - a crank mechanism ( 3 ), which is a first crank ( 7 ) with a first pedal ( 9 ) and a second crank ( 8th ) with a second pedal ( 10 ), - at least one force sensor ( 11 ) for determining a pedaling force of a driver of the bicycle, - at least one crankshaft sensor ( 13 ) for determining a position of the cranks, - an output device ( 15 ) for outputting information to the driver and - a control unit ( 20 ), which with the force sensor ( 11 ), the crank sensor ( 13 ) and the output device ( 15 ), the control unit ( 20 ) is set up by means of the output device ( 15 ), based on the detected values of the force sensor ( 11 ) and the crank sensor ( 13 ) to provide assistance to improve a pedaling of the driver to approach an optimal round kick. Bicycle according to claim 1, characterized by a first force sensor ( 11 ) on the first pedal ( 9 ) and a second force sensor ( 12 ) on the second pedal ( 10 ). Bicycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a first crank sensor ( 13 ) and a second crank sensor ( 14 ). Bicycle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electric motor ( 2 ), which with the control unit ( 20 ) and which is arranged, a torque on the crank drive ( 3 ), the control unit ( 20 ) the electric motor ( 2 ) such that the electric motor ( 2 ) during a pedaling a driver an additional torque on the crank mechanism ( 3 ) in order to achieve an optimal round footstep on the crank drive or to approach an optimal round footstep. Bicycle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electric motor ( 2 ) on the crank mechanism ( 3 ) is arranged. Bicycle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a tilt sensor ( 16 ) to detect a side slope of the bicycle, wherein the inclination sensor with the control unit ( 20 ) is connected and the control unit outputs a warning to the driver when a predetermined side slope is exceeded. Bicycle according to claim 6 as dependent on claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control unit ( 20 ), a position of the cranks ( 7 . 8th ) of the crank mechanism by means of the electric motor ( 2 ) to prevent the pedal from landing on the ground when cornering. A method of improving a pedaling technique of a rider of a bicycle, comprising the steps of: - determining a pedaling force of the rider on a crank mechanism ( 3 ), - determining a crank position of a first crank ( 7 ) and / or a second crank ( 8th ) of the crank mechanism and - outputting assistance for changing a treading force in response to a crank position to approximate the rider's pedaling technique to an optimum round tread or to achieve an optimum round tread. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the crank drive ( 3 ) with an electric motor ( 2 ) and the electric motor ( 2 ) a torque in addition to the torque applied by the driver on the crank mechanism ( 3 ) in order to approach the optimal round kick or to achieve the optimal round kick. The method of claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of detecting a side inclination of the bicycle and outputting a warning when a predetermined side inclination is exceeded, and / or adjusting a crank position of the crank mechanism ( 3 ) by means of the electric motor ( 2 ) in such a way that despite lateral inclination of the bicycle does not place a pedal on a floor.

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